Mayor Don Wesely, with the support of the Lancaster County Medical
Society, today detailed a plan for the improvement of independent
medical oversight related to emergency medical services. The proposal
would retain EMS, Inc. as the provider of oversight for the EMS system
with some changes to the board make-up. It would also clarify the
disciplinary role of the Medical Director and solidify the role of the
Medical Direction Board of the Lancaster County Medical Society in
developing medical and dispatch protocols.

"Emergency medical service is the practice of medicine on the streets of
Lincoln and roads of Lancaster County," Wesely said. "When a citizen
calls 911 for an ambulance, he or she is seeking fast, well-trained
medical help. We must have independent medical oversight to ensure high
quality services. Independent medical oversight is extremely important
to the medical community and to me."

"The physicians of the Lancaster County Medical Society have held firm
in their belief that independent medical oversight is critical for a
well-functioning emergency medical system," said Dr. Daniel P. Noble,
President of the Lancaster County Medical Society. "We are encouraged
that independent medical oversight will be preserved for the benefit of
our patients in Lincoln and the surrounding area,"

The Mayor commended City Council member Coleen Seng, who facilitated the
development of the plan. "Coleen has years of experience in negotiating
tough issues that are critical to the citizens of Lincoln," Wesely
said. "Her assistance in bringing the interested parties together to
come up with this proposal was invaluable. Once again, her leadership
is of great benefit to the City of Lincoln."

City Council member Jonathan Cook said he was pleased that discussions
with the medical community have resulted in a plan with which all
parties can be comfortable. "Independent medical oversight has always
been the most important issue in this process," he said. "This plan
will ensure that patient care always comes first."

The President of the EMS, Inc. Board, Darrell Stock, said the plan has
the support of the current board. "The EMS, Inc. Board is obviously
very pleased with the decision to preserve truly independent medical
oversight," he said. "We believe the announcement today presents an
opportunity to strengthen medical oversight and the independence of the
medical oversight agency. The Board is committed to making the
transition as smooth as possible for all concerned."

The plan includes the following provisions:

EMS, Inc. would have the same staffing structure, with the Medical
Director employed by and accountable to the EMS, Inc. Board.

The city would provide sufficient funding for personnel and
transition issues.

A seven-member Board would be retained. The Board would include
five at-large members appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City
Council; one member chosen by the Lancaster County Board; and one member
chosen by the Mayor from no less than two nominees from the Lancaster
County Medical Society.

All Board members must be able to meet a conflict of interest
standard.

Medical protocols adopted by the Medical Direction Board are
mandatory, with EMS, Inc. given discretion on how and when to implement
the protocols.

The term of the revised contract would be seven years.

The proposed changes would be implemented by an amendment to the current
contract and the development of a transition document. Both would need
the approval of the Lincoln City Council. The changes would become
effective on January 1, 2001.

"It is in the best interests of all of us that the quality of care from
the emergency scene to the emergency room be as seamless and as high
quality as possible," Wesely said. "I am pleased the city, the county
and the medical community are working cooperatively to provide for
truly independent medical oversight of our paramedics."